U.S. Representative Patrick E. Murphy (FL-18) joined U.S. Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL) and several other members of Florida’s congressional delegation in writing to the head of the Environmental Protection Agency to raise their serious concerns with the state’s proposal to allow increased levels of toxic chemicals in Florida's waters. In addition to Murphy and Nelson, signers of the letter include U.S. Reps. Ted Deutch (FL-21), Lois Frankel (FL-22), Gwen Graham (FL-02), Alan Grayson (FL-09), Alcee L. Hastings (FL-20), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-23), and Frederica Wilson (FL-24). 

Murphy also called on state officials to reject this proposal before its approval yesterday by Florida's Environmental Regulation Commission (ERC) by a vote of 3-2, making the following statement:

“Our waterways are already in crisis with toxic algae blooms threatening our precious ecosystems, public health, and economy. Weakening our clean water standards to allow increased chemical levels will only exacerbate the situation. Furthermore, to move forward with such a controversial proposal when there are vacancies on the ERC is a dereliction of the state's duty to make sure all stakeholders and Floridians' voices are heard. The state must reject this harmful proposal and instead, put the health and well-being of the people of Florida first by working to strengthen water quality and address the ongoing crisis in our waterways."

Please find the full text of the delegation's letter below and attached: 

July 26, 2016

The Honorable Gina McCarthy
Administrator
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20460


Dear Administrator McCarthy,

We’re writing to alert you to our serious concerns with a problematic public health proposal in Florida that will soon be sent to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for approval.

Florida residents and tourists visit the state’s numerous lakes and rivers to fish, boat, and swim. Our waterways are our way of life in Florida. That’s why it is critically important that we ensure Florida’s water quality standards preserve the health and safety of all users, especially vulnerable populations like children, the elderly, and people whose livelihoods rely on the water, such as commercial fishermen.

In May, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) initiated rulemaking to set new human health criteria regulations for 39 chemicals and to adjust the standards for 43 chemicals currently regulated by the state. The Florida Environmental Regulation Commission approved these standards today by a 3-2 vote.

While we support efforts to update the standards that were last approved in 1992, we are deeply concerned that the state is proposing to raise the allowable levels for dozens of chemicals, including more than half of the most dangerous cancer-causing chemicals in the proposal. In several instances, these proposed levels exceed EPA’s recommendations.

In addition, there has not been sufficient opportunity for the public to review and comment on this highly technical proposal, despite the potentially serious consequences of setting inadequate standards.

Further, we are concerned that certain perspectives may not be fully represented in the state’s proposal because two positions on the Florida Environmental Commission are currently vacant. Of note, the environmental seat and the local government seat are not filled and have been unoccupied for over a year.

We urge you to provide a more appropriate public comment period for the proposal and to carefully evaluate each proposed human health criteria to ensure the utmost protection for our population, environment, and economy.

Thank you for your attention to this serious matter.

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